The actions of the French tourists posing with a statue of the Buddha, have led to much outcry.
The police spokesperson, Ajith Rohana told AFP:
"If we had not arrested them and prosecuted them, they would have taken the pictures abroad, published them and gloated."
"They had not only broken Sri Lankan law, but they have also violated universally accepted norms of respecting religious symbols of others. We condemn this and urge tourists not to make religious offence."
Udaya Gammanpila, the spokesperson of the National Heritage Party, a constituent party of the ruling coalition, told AFP:
"Sri Lankans consider this statue to be sacred. They desecrated it. This is uncivilised behaviour,"
"We condemn this action of the three French tourists and urge Westerners to please respect our culture and act decently."
